Obituaries are a service of Brainard Funeral Home & Cremation Center, with locations in Wausau and Weston.
Amaryllis “Babs” Hintz
Amaryllis “Babs” Hintz, passed away July 12, 2020, at Rennes Health and Rehab, Weston, at the age of 83 surrounded by family and friends.
She was born on Feb. 1, 1937, to the late Albert and Adelaine (Neitzke) Hintz. She graduated from Wausau High School in 1955. She married Lyle Hintz on Sept. 25, 1955, at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Wausau. He preceded her in death as well as her husband, Herb Gripentrog. She was a life-long food server in the hospitality industry.
Babs was a faithful member of Saint Andrew Lutheran Church in Rib Mountain, serving in their OWLS group, and the Red Hat Club. She loved to play bridge, Mah Jongg, and was talented at quilting and crocheting projects for her family and friends. She was also a Cub Scout Leader and avid golfer. Babs was proud of her family, faith in God, friends, and her accomplishments. She was especially proud of her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her sons, Tim (Lonna), Tom (Cathy), Todd (Heidi); grandchildren, Carley and Nash; stepdaughters, Mary, Ellen, and Barbara; best friends, Annette and Jill; sisters-in-law, Sandra, Nancy, Sharon, Sally, Elaine, and Beth; and special friends, Donna Ray, Jill, Joan, Josie, Marcie, Tomina, Liz, and both Carols. She is further survived by special nieces and nephews, especially Jackie. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Tracy Faye; sisters, Corrine and Jewell; and sister in law, Sue.
Funeral service will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2020, at Brainard Funeral Home, 522 Adams St., Wausau, WI 54403. Rev. Justin Smoot of Saint Andrew Lutheran Church will officiate. Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. until the time of services at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Saint Andrew Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society.
Online condolences may be shared at www.brainardfuneral.com.
Betty Stepanik
Betty M. Stepanik, 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 11, 2020, with loving support from The Renaissance Care Center in Weston.
She was born on Aug. 2, 1928, in Wausau to the late Claude and Sarah (Sniegoski) Sobkowiak. After graduating from the former Wausau East High School, Betty was a corporate secretary at 3M Co. for 10 years and also was employed by the U.S. Census initiative.
Betty married George D. Stepanik in 1952 and enjoyed 58 years of married life together. A highlight of their union was a 50-year celebration in their home and also at the Diocese of LaCrosse in 2002.
Bicycling was her special enjoyment, many times biking to the Pavilion in Rothschild. On one trip she met Jeff Campo, who was painting at the pavilion, inspiring him to continue the restoration for that building. Betty also enjoyed her artwork – especially ink sketches, oil on canvas and clay. She enjoyed true friendship with her special poodle, Mimi. In later years Betty adored her rescued tortoiseshell cat, Kitsie. She was an avid gardener and was president of the Ledgeview Garden Club when residing in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Betty was president of the Milwaukee Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women District 8, a member of the Little Flower Council of St. Therese Catholic Church in Rothschild and the Catholic Women’s Club of Wausau Wisconsin. She was active in Eucharistic ministry and chapel adoration in both Fond du Lac and Rothschild. Betty was also blessed to complete a pilgrimage to the apparition site in Medjugorje-Herzegovina Bosnia, fortifying her strong devotion to our Lady Queen of Peace.
Survivors include her daughter, Mary Kay Stepanik McDermott (Thomas), one granddaughter, Erin (Greg) VanTassell, her sister Helen Dreyer, brother in law Donald (Ruth) Stepanik, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friend and classmate, Bob Steckbauer.
She was preceded in death by her husband George, sister Dorothy (Edwin) Jablonski, mother and father-in-law Albert and Antoinette Stepanik, sister-in-law Bernice (Walter) Kwarciany, brother-in-laws James Dreyer, John (Joyce) Stepanik, Willie Stepanik, and Walter (LaVerne) Stepanik.
A celebratory Mass at St. Therese Catholic Church in Rothschild will be 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020. A private burial service was held at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Wausau.
Memorial gifts may be directed to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight, 225780 Rib Mountain Drive, #234, Wausau, WI 54401 or St. Therese Catholic Church, Rothschild.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Charles Martin
Charles J. Martin, 73, Marathon, died Sunday, July 12, 2020, at his summer home in Tomahawk.
He was born Nov. 23, 1946, in Marathon, son of the late Ludwig and Rose (Hornung) Martin. He lived his whole life in the community of Marathon that he so loved, leaving only to proudly serve his country in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years. He was stationed in California before being deployed to Vietnam, serving as a jet mechanic in heavy combat areas during the Vietnam War.
Following the incredible sacrifices Chuck made in service to our country, he was then incredibly blessed to meet a beautiful girl in his hometown. On May 13, 1972, he married the love of his life and devoted wife of 47 years, Anita Handrick, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marathon. This same church would be where Chuck and Anita would devote their Catholic Life, educate their family, serve the parish, and witness the marriages and baptisms of many of their children and grandchildren. Chuck continued his service to the parish community, serving on the school’s board and as a driving force behind St. Mary’s school’s building addition. Chuck was also heavily involved in many other community groups including the Boy Scouts, Marathon Softball and Baseball, and American Legion Post #469. Chuck truly believed in bringing the Marathon community together which he demonstrated as co-founder of the Annual Legends Car Show.
Chuck worked as a sales representative in the paper packaging industry with PCA. This incredibly successful career lasted 31 years. Anyone who knows Chuck can agree he was perfectly suited for a job he truly loved. Outside his work Chuck made the most of enjoying his time with family and friends. He was an avid lover of the outdoors, most especially fishing, hunting, golfing and traveling.
His roles of father and grandfather were also ones he dearly cherished. He could often be found coaching the baseball game, sitting in the stands cheering them on, teaching them to hunt or fish, putting together a puzzle, or letting them serve as “First Mate” driving the boat out on the lake. He taught his children and grandchildren to try new things, believe in their abilities, be willing to fail and learn from that failure, have an opinion but be open to others, but above all, love with all your heart.
He was known by many for his charismatic style, sense of humor, positive outlook, and support for anyone and everyone who needed it. Everyone he met became a “Really Neat Guy” to Chuck, always eager to meet someone new or have another encounter with an old or interesting friend. Chuck truly believed in the best in everyone and strove to live by those words. We will miss his infectious smile and the hug that always accompanied it.
Survivors include his wife, Anita, four children, Aaron (Melanie) Martin, Marathon and their daughters, Maddie, Paige, Eve and Clare; Michael (Stefanie) Martin, Wausau; Connie (James) Ison, Wausau, and their sons, Kestler and Orion; Timothy Martin, at home; four siblings, Ed (Joanne) Martin, Florida; Lenore (Owen) Brady, West Bend; Joan (Lavern) Stencil, Marathon; James (Donna) Martin, Stevens Point; a sister-in-law, Grace Martin, Kimberly. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Louis Martin.
Visitation will be on Friday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at St. Mary Church, Marathon. Visitation will continue Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services at the church. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 18, 2020, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier will preside with limited seating of 125. Burial will be in the parish cemetery at a later date.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the Lake Nokomis EMT’s and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Department for their compassionate care.
Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.
Amanda “Mandi” Roberts
Mandi (Amanda Faye) Roberts, our lovely daughter, passed away suddenly on Saturday, July 11, 2020, at her home in Wausau, Wisconsin. She was born in Wausau on Jan. 16, 1984, to James C. and Carol J. (Fralick) Roberts.
The family moved to Rothschild, Wisconsin, in 1998 where Mandi graduated from D.C. Everest Senior High School in 2002. Through her teen years she excelled academically and was very active in vocal and instrumental music at school and in her church.
Mandi attended Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, from 2002-2006 and graduated with a B.A. in English and a B.A. in religious studies. After graduation, she lived in the Madison, Wisconsin, and Stevens Point, Wisconsin, areas before coming back to Wausau. Most of her work was in management roles in the public sector, customer service and retail.
Mandi had a keen intellect and a sensitive heart. She was a passionate explorer of ideas found in literature, movies and other media. Her hobbies were crocheting, reading, writing, music and baking. She delighted in time with her family playing games, sledding and celebrating holidays. She was very close to her older brother Jason and especially loved her niece Elizabeth (Lizzie) who brought great joy into her life for nine years by re-introducing the wonder of childhood. She loved her cats Magenta and Edward.
Mandi is preceded in death by her grandparents, several aunts, uncles, and cousins. She is survived by her parents James and Carol, her brother Jason, sister-in-law Barbara, and niece Lizzie. We, and our large closely knit extended family, will miss her greatly.
John J. Buettgen Funeral Home will be handling final arrangements for Mandi. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Irene Kudronowicz
Irene Kudronowicz, 96, of Weston died on Monday, July 13, 2020, at Tender Reflections, Weston.
Irene was born on April 15, 1924, in Hatley, the daughter of Frank and Celia (Milanowski) Easker.
On Aug. 16, 1947, Irene was united in marriage to Anthony Kudronowicz at St. Florians Catholic Church, Hatley. He preceded her in death on Sept. 14, 2011.
Irene and Anthony owned a Texaco station in Milwaukee until moving to Schofield. She was a member at St. Therese Catholic Church where she would help for church events. Irene enjoyed baking and gardening, which she loved to share with others.
Irene is survived by two grandsons, Aaron (Laura) Kudronowicz and Ben (Tanya) Kudronowicz; four great grandchildren, Hannah, Tyler, Nicole, and Dylan; a brother, Kenneth Easker; along with several nieces and nephews.
Irene was preceded in death by her husband, parents, son, James, brothers, Felix, Chester, Ernest, Raymond, Daniel, and Phillip, and sisters, Matty Tomson, Amelia Malchowski, Marie Gunderson, Sally Wojciechowski, and Martha Oxendorf.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2020, at St. Therese Catholic Church, Rothschild. Rev. Joseph Albert will preside. Burial will take place in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Kronenwetter. Visitation will be on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church.
Social distancing will be practiced and the Mass will be limited to 100 attendees.
Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Wittenberg, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Memories and messages of support may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
